The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have signed a
formal declaration acting as guarantors of a Gaza ceasefire deal aimed at
ending two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Signed at an
international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this agreement marks a
significant step towards consolidating peace efforts, facilitating humanitarian
aid, and initiating reconstruction in Gaza.
Leaders Sign Declaration in Sharm el-Sheikh
As reported by Namo Baran of Daily Sabah, Türkiye’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi,
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and U.S. President Donald Trump
signed the Gaza ceasefire declaration on Monday at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of
Sharm el-Sheikh. The document designates these four countries as guarantors of
the ceasefire aimed at ending over two years of violence in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump, before signing, stated,
“The document is going to spell out rules and regulations and lots of other things,” emphasising twice, “it’s going to hold up,”
illustrating confidence in the
agreement’s durability.
Importance of the Declaration
According to Yousuf Ali of The New Indian Express, the
declaration aims to consolidate the ceasefire, ensure humanitarian aid delivery
into Gaza, and pave the way for reconstruction after significant devastation in
the region. This agreement follows intense negotiations mediated by Egypt,
Qatar, and Turkey under the auspices of the United States.
Trump hailed the event as
“a tremendous day for the Middle East,”
while highlighting the critical role of the mediators and guarantor
nations in maintaining peace in the region.
Context of the Gaza Ceasefire
As detailed by Sarah Johnson of The Korea Times, the
ceasefire deal followed direct pressure from the United States, Arab countries,
and Turkey on Israel and Hamas. The truce, which began the previous Friday,
allowed for the initial steps in halting hostilities and creating space for
dialogue.
Despite Israel and Hamas having no direct contact and
neither expected at the summit, the gathering brought together more than 20
world leaders, including King Abdullah of Jordan, the French president, and the
British prime minister, underscoring broad global engagement.
Hostage Releases and Prisoner Exchanges
According to Ishaan Patel of The Tribune, in a significant
breakthrough aligned with the ceasefire, Hamas released the last 20 surviving
Israeli hostages who had been held for two years in Gaza. In exchange, Israel
released nearly 2,000 mostly Palestinian prisoners, a move seen as a major
confidence-building step.
This development occurred mere hours before the declaration
signing, emphasising ongoing efforts to build trust between the parties.
Summit Highlights and Regional Implications
The summit co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and
President Trump aimed to establish a long-term vision for rebuilding Gaza and
stabilising the region. El-Sissi praised Trump as “the only one” capable of
bringing peace to the region, while Trump exhorted Israeli lawmakers to pursue
peace and encouraged Palestinians to focus on reconstruction efforts.
El-Sissi's office underlined that the summit’s purpose was to “end the war” in Gaza and
“usher in a new page of peace and regional stability”
in alignment with Trump's vision.
Future Steps and Challenges
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty outlined the
critical next phases, stating that success depends on the full implementation
of the ceasefire’s first phase. This includes possible deployment of an international
peacekeeping force, which would require a United Nations Security Council
resolution.
Abdelatty also clarified that Hamas would have no role
during Gaza’s transitional period. Instead, governance would be handled by a
committee of Palestinian technocrats vetted by Israel and supervised by a
‘Board of Peace’ proposed by Trump.
International Support and Humanitarian Efforts
As reported by CBC’s correspondent Helen Markowitz, efforts
are underway at the Gaza border to increase humanitarian aid flow to the
territory after months of restricted access. The international community
remains focused on facilitating recovery in this war-torn area while
maintaining the fragile ceasefire.
Congruently, the signing ceremony was attended by Canada’s
Prime Minister Mark Carney, alongside other global leaders, signifying
widespread international backing for the peace process.
Summary of the Declaration’s Key Points
|
Country |
Role in Declaration |
Notable Statements |
|
United States |
Guarantor, led by President Donald Trump |
“It’s going to hold up,” emphasised Trump |
|
Egypt |
Host and guarantor, led by President El-Sissi |
Called for end of war, praised Trump’s role |
|
Qatar |
Guarantor, led by Emir Sheikh Tamim |
Mediated initial ceasefire phases |
|
Turkey |
Guarantor, led by President Erdoğan |
Signed the declaration alongside other guarantors |
This Gaza ceasefire declaration, signed by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, represents a pivotal milestone toward ending over two years of conflict in Gaza. The agreement lays the framework for maintaining peace, facilitating humanitarian aid, and rebuilding the region. While significant challenges remain, the international commitment symbolised by this summit underscores widespread hopes for lasting stability in the Middle East.